<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2024 Workiva-->
<!--r:934a7d6c-d97e-44fd-bcaa-cdb2d3b4742b,g:d1582a36-d5a5-43b2-b43d-b209204c4630-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquityConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquityConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquityConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a9f48e67-819b-4f33-ba04-0ddffe9688d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a9f48e67-819b-4f33-ba04-0ddffe9688d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2e45e1cb-2173-41d0-8c1f-62aa76bd4fd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a9f48e67-819b-4f33-ba04-0ddffe9688d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2e45e1cb-2173-41d0-8c1f-62aa76bd4fd0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2e45e1cb-2173-41d0-8c1f-62aa76bd4fd0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2e45e1cb-2173-41d0-8c1f-62aa76bd4fd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2e45e1cb-2173-41d0-8c1f-62aa76bd4fd0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2435039f-3736-49c2-9a77-46c29a47fc5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2e45e1cb-2173-41d0-8c1f-62aa76bd4fd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2435039f-3736-49c2-9a77-46c29a47fc5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4cfedfd7-78c7-4b3e-a7d2-03cc209501bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2435039f-3736-49c2-9a77-46c29a47fc5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4cfedfd7-78c7-4b3e-a7d2-03cc209501bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_6fca678a-e1f2-4252-973c-f2b974db8ce5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2435039f-3736-49c2-9a77-46c29a47fc5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_6fca678a-e1f2-4252-973c-f2b974db8ce5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ee6ac3a3-bb3d-4364-a9f0-260fb036b8bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2435039f-3736-49c2-9a77-46c29a47fc5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ee6ac3a3-bb3d-4364-a9f0-260fb036b8bd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_4af12dad-1ffe-4d88-a548-84fb278ac548" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2435039f-3736-49c2-9a77-46c29a47fc5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_4af12dad-1ffe-4d88-a548-84fb278ac548" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_1d2e4b55-5e1a-404b-a5cb-a292257bea53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_1d2e4b55-5e1a-404b-a5cb-a292257bea53" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_10f3073a-7530-4cf7-b4eb-12b1cd22405e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_10f3073a-7530-4cf7-b4eb-12b1cd22405e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_1f827ab8-75b9-4a6e-976d-e634694b8169" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_1f827ab8-75b9-4a6e-976d-e634694b8169" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_53274400-eea9-4eef-a43a-9a467fe67499" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_53274400-eea9-4eef-a43a-9a467fe67499" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_6cd97ecb-667b-490f-bbc0-fa2175dd7261" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_6cd97ecb-667b-490f-bbc0-fa2175dd7261" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_63c09f4e-97f3-4c82-9582-d3cdb168d74e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_63c09f4e-97f3-4c82-9582-d3cdb168d74e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_94694c0e-8f37-4262-89e4-f3c720619c29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_94694c0e-8f37-4262-89e4-f3c720619c29" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_64481f37-3528-4f18-978e-5ce39cae7bdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_64481f37-3528-4f18-978e-5ce39cae7bdf" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_489cb3cf-31ee-4490-a206-6078c783aafe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5146a3f7-40ab-4a37-9295-88c1a1379f2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_489cb3cf-31ee-4490-a206-6078c783aafe" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_660b2ef4-8c92-4d3f-b4ef-c515054053e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_4b9c76a1-e58f-483e-b117-8de63157bdf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/BusinessCombinationsandAssetAcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_60877449-9efe-432a-96ea-c24e483d6639" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_60877449-9efe-432a-96ea-c24e483d6639" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_67a32f9d-b5c5-4714-bf70-e53112430565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_60877449-9efe-432a-96ea-c24e483d6639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_67a32f9d-b5c5-4714-bf70-e53112430565" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_67a32f9d-b5c5-4714-bf70-e53112430565_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_67a32f9d-b5c5-4714-bf70-e53112430565" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_67a32f9d-b5c5-4714-bf70-e53112430565_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_a235d3fe-ff00-49e3-acc3-cdd47f14a7f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_67a32f9d-b5c5-4714-bf70-e53112430565" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_a235d3fe-ff00-49e3-acc3-cdd47f14a7f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_AugustaGeorgiaMillAcquisitionMember_6814ce6a-829f-4a33-8fb4-f86b438ffd86" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_AugustaGeorgiaMillAcquisitionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_a235d3fe-ff00-49e3-acc3-cdd47f14a7f8" xlink:to="loc_clw_AugustaGeorgiaMillAcquisitionMember_6814ce6a-829f-4a33-8fb4-f86b438ffd86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_63f60ab6-921e-4988-bbf4-9920d1e8f38b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_63f60ab6-921e-4988-bbf4-9920d1e8f38b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory_12baf4a7-3a72-40b4-bfc2-b9a9125271cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory_12baf4a7-3a72-40b4-bfc2-b9a9125271cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther_b0e3d7b9-70e5-43d3-b8be-11a3ff44c239" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther_b0e3d7b9-70e5-43d3-b8be-11a3ff44c239" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_dcde83ee-a8ae-42f0-8211-520eb37a2a48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_dcde83ee-a8ae-42f0-8211-520eb37a2a48" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_b1f28e5a-fd0c-4f1c-bfa7-6e64b161359c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_b1f28e5a-fd0c-4f1c-bfa7-6e64b161359c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_787bd62f-3520-4147-8d97-a87e8508b434" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_787bd62f-3520-4147-8d97-a87e8508b434" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_41cca88c-2fce-4081-bd52-4ea8bbf58325" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_41cca88c-2fce-4081-bd52-4ea8bbf58325" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther_53826889-3568-459a-9a2c-6e33308c0be3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther_53826889-3568-459a-9a2c-6e33308c0be3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_57aab205-60bd-492b-9444-f96eb8a86c26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_57aab205-60bd-492b-9444-f96eb8a86c26" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_9cc093e7-a7b3-4a97-9577-f89785c98bb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_9cc093e7-a7b3-4a97-9577-f89785c98bb3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_fe918a05-eed4-4f4b-8429-de28054fea08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_fe918a05-eed4-4f4b-8429-de28054fea08" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_b963ffe8-f50b-4a00-b3ec-d05ba9006d6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_b963ffe8-f50b-4a00-b3ec-d05ba9006d6f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_98770171-4195-4298-95c2-fb4fd03cd182" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_98770171-4195-4298-95c2-fb4fd03cd182" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_84bb3d92-b74a-4ad1-83b4-7438ec01178c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_84bb3d92-b74a-4ad1-83b4-7438ec01178c" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_6bc75507-fec6-45f5-96f7-d6159f3b60c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_6bc75507-fec6-45f5-96f7-d6159f3b60c9" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss_5336e261-bed5-4a99-bc45-3e21479145de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss_5336e261-bed5-4a99-bc45-3e21479145de" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_cb145c03-3028-49a6-b1a6-1e6227ede8d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_cb145c03-3028-49a6-b1a6-1e6227ede8d3" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_800c92a9-a847-4089-bb28-db2a8b285910" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b1ecdec3-2b85-406a-b6fb-7a1dab307080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_800c92a9-a847-4089-bb28-db2a8b285910" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/InventoriesInventoriesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#InventoriesInventoriesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/InventoriesInventoriesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_805ee852-0ecf-4feb-9154-29f32d38913c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_78022c68-9fad-4169-b775-7e4cd520bbe7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_805ee852-0ecf-4feb-9154-29f32d38913c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_78022c68-9fad-4169-b775-7e4cd520bbe7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_788d57ef-ffa7-43df-8d2b-612ab8bee74b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_78022c68-9fad-4169-b775-7e4cd520bbe7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_788d57ef-ffa7-43df-8d2b-612ab8bee74b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_788d57ef-ffa7-43df-8d2b-612ab8bee74b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_788d57ef-ffa7-43df-8d2b-612ab8bee74b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_788d57ef-ffa7-43df-8d2b-612ab8bee74b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_5ed2dcab-f40b-49cc-ad16-4a77cdf969af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_788d57ef-ffa7-43df-8d2b-612ab8bee74b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_5ed2dcab-f40b-49cc-ad16-4a77cdf969af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoriesMember_76cabf26-dcc7-4386-b201-ebb413449d75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InventoriesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_5ed2dcab-f40b-49cc-ad16-4a77cdf969af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoriesMember_76cabf26-dcc7-4386-b201-ebb413449d75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_InventoryPulpMember_a527f770-2d91-4344-a243-e6cc951abf43" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_InventoryPulpMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_5ed2dcab-f40b-49cc-ad16-4a77cdf969af" xlink:to="loc_clw_InventoryPulpMember_a527f770-2d91-4344-a243-e6cc951abf43" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves_7a2f7931-c23d-4f4a-adef-4e5825d1e3b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_805ee852-0ecf-4feb-9154-29f32d38913c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves_7a2f7931-c23d-4f4a-adef-4e5825d1e3b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventorySuppliesNetOfReserves_a2be2ba8-8cb4-47ad-98f9-1c7c58dc6bdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InventorySuppliesNetOfReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_805ee852-0ecf-4feb-9154-29f32d38913c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventorySuppliesNetOfReserves_a2be2ba8-8cb4-47ad-98f9-1c7c58dc6bdd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_4dac7ad9-efa9-4cc9-9094-650d04ab2428" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_805ee852-0ecf-4feb-9154-29f32d38913c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_4dac7ad9-efa9-4cc9-9094-650d04ab2428" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsNetOfReserves_36ca1906-b696-4595-9211-5847e2b9360f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsNetOfReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_805ee852-0ecf-4feb-9154-29f32d38913c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsNetOfReserves_36ca1906-b696-4595-9211-5847e2b9360f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_945b92e4-2368-4976-b1cb-5ea2bcee7b93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_24f37720-a693-47ca-bf3c-e3d1d2995072" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_945b92e4-2368-4976-b1cb-5ea2bcee7b93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_24f37720-a693-47ca-bf3c-e3d1d2995072" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_da30ebce-08c4-4f72-bab9-5071df1f51f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_24f37720-a693-47ca-bf3c-e3d1d2995072" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_da30ebce-08c4-4f72-bab9-5071df1f51f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_da30ebce-08c4-4f72-bab9-5071df1f51f8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_da30ebce-08c4-4f72-bab9-5071df1f51f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_da30ebce-08c4-4f72-bab9-5071df1f51f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0d048935-90db-4bf9-acda-21aee71dd7be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_da30ebce-08c4-4f72-bab9-5071df1f51f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0d048935-90db-4bf9-acda-21aee71dd7be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_cc1191a6-bfde-48e6-b254-7a87bf61b7d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0d048935-90db-4bf9-acda-21aee71dd7be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_cc1191a6-bfde-48e6-b254-7a87bf61b7d2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_ea259d47-20e5-409f-b3b7-1587039637c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0d048935-90db-4bf9-acda-21aee71dd7be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_ea259d47-20e5-409f-b3b7-1587039637c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember_7dc11c79-8e82-434c-853b-a3de52528733" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0d048935-90db-4bf9-acda-21aee71dd7be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember_7dc11c79-8e82-434c-853b-a3de52528733" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_301792df-94f5-4fde-b3aa-a1dcad9a3c33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0d048935-90db-4bf9-acda-21aee71dd7be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_301792df-94f5-4fde-b3aa-a1dcad9a3c33" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_7a9327ab-b406-4ec4-9bc8-0c1f4058445e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_945b92e4-2368-4976-b1cb-5ea2bcee7b93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_7a9327ab-b406-4ec4-9bc8-0c1f4058445e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_551213be-506c-4e3d-8582-fc0d54c4db5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_945b92e4-2368-4976-b1cb-5ea2bcee7b93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_551213be-506c-4e3d-8582-fc0d54c4db5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_e8ce3ece-340c-4419-8e09-60f642fc34f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_945b92e4-2368-4976-b1cb-5ea2bcee7b93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_e8ce3ece-340c-4419-8e09-60f642fc34f3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOtherDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOtherDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/IntangibleAssetsGoodwillandOtherDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_da726f44-fd55-47df-9872-15ff70615214" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_da726f44-fd55-47df-9872-15ff70615214" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_48e33668-d952-4266-a043-a5beab2e758b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_da726f44-fd55-47df-9872-15ff70615214" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_48e33668-d952-4266-a043-a5beab2e758b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_48e33668-d952-4266-a043-a5beab2e758b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_48e33668-d952-4266-a043-a5beab2e758b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_48e33668-d952-4266-a043-a5beab2e758b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_e17ba13e-ae61-4e36-96ae-44df0c0c3ae0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_48e33668-d952-4266-a043-a5beab2e758b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_e17ba13e-ae61-4e36-96ae-44df0c0c3ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_b3469bb4-fcca-4375-8372-70f2fcabb2f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_e17ba13e-ae61-4e36-96ae-44df0c0c3ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_b3469bb4-fcca-4375-8372-70f2fcabb2f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_c8a9d811-e17e-49fc-a805-63bf82128543" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_da726f44-fd55-47df-9872-15ff70615214" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_c8a9d811-e17e-49fc-a805-63bf82128543" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c8a9d811-e17e-49fc-a805-63bf82128543_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_c8a9d811-e17e-49fc-a805-63bf82128543" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c8a9d811-e17e-49fc-a805-63bf82128543_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_02443919-ce88-4209-885f-0d04676fb703" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_c8a9d811-e17e-49fc-a805-63bf82128543" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_02443919-ce88-4209-885f-0d04676fb703" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_52240164-e3a0-442f-8a3b-c66f789d4113" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_02443919-ce88-4209-885f-0d04676fb703" xlink:to="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_52240164-e3a0-442f-8a3b-c66f789d4113" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fe66b2aa-f0b1-476a-b93b-f1b046845ce6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_da726f44-fd55-47df-9872-15ff70615214" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fe66b2aa-f0b1-476a-b93b-f1b046845ce6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_fe66b2aa-f0b1-476a-b93b-f1b046845ce6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fe66b2aa-f0b1-476a-b93b-f1b046845ce6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_fe66b2aa-f0b1-476a-b93b-f1b046845ce6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_d975c0bf-ca15-40d3-bbc1-f6191dfbaf24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fe66b2aa-f0b1-476a-b93b-f1b046845ce6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_d975c0bf-ca15-40d3-bbc1-f6191dfbaf24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f3268624-cc77-42a1-b429-fed0b134d6eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_d975c0bf-ca15-40d3-bbc1-f6191dfbaf24" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f3268624-cc77-42a1-b429-fed0b134d6eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_ed97027c-7426-4f6f-a66b-d2f04eff94c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_da726f44-fd55-47df-9872-15ff70615214" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_ed97027c-7426-4f6f-a66b-d2f04eff94c2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_ed97027c-7426-4f6f-a66b-d2f04eff94c2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_ed97027c-7426-4f6f-a66b-d2f04eff94c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_ed97027c-7426-4f6f-a66b-d2f04eff94c2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_946a3805-8b6c-48af-bb92-2ba391f7341e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_ed97027c-7426-4f6f-a66b-d2f04eff94c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_946a3805-8b6c-48af-bb92-2ba391f7341e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_b502cd9d-71c4-4043-b9f4-6c025aea97bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_b502cd9d-71c4-4043-b9f4-6c025aea97bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_2195d3b7-f70a-4375-932f-269a2f2b9856" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_2195d3b7-f70a-4375-932f-269a2f2b9856" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_2b86b6dd-b725-4d09-af98-dd7f2357906c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_2b86b6dd-b725-4d09-af98-dd7f2357906c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_abac769f-14ba-4185-9369-d1efedc5ea4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_abac769f-14ba-4185-9369-d1efedc5ea4e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_2b78d642-e24b-4c7b-94f1-84226e5b98f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_2b78d642-e24b-4c7b-94f1-84226e5b98f6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_92693b32-53a6-4295-8704-6ab732ba27e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_92693b32-53a6-4295-8704-6ab732ba27e2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_75ba90dc-e354-4b77-9116-83e0670556f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3d88b44d-dfd4-4383-8588-ce809d623a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_75ba90dc-e354-4b77-9116-83e0670556f0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#DebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9fa59593-2213-40d3-a8a4-4b9b67e7244f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9fa59593-2213-40d3-a8a4-4b9b67e7244f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5a00420f-fd7c-4a23-b95e-831d5a35b1d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9fa59593-2213-40d3-a8a4-4b9b67e7244f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5a00420f-fd7c-4a23-b95e-831d5a35b1d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_5a00420f-fd7c-4a23-b95e-831d5a35b1d0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5a00420f-fd7c-4a23-b95e-831d5a35b1d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_5a00420f-fd7c-4a23-b95e-831d5a35b1d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5a00420f-fd7c-4a23-b95e-831d5a35b1d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_TermLoanMember_6729d885-ee88-4ffc-8053-24012359f02e" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_clw_TermLoanMember_6729d885-ee88-4ffc-8053-24012359f02e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_SeniorNoteDue2028Member_545ed296-3c27-49c0-acd8-f47bf90950b0" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_SeniorNoteDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_clw_SeniorNoteDue2028Member_545ed296-3c27-49c0-acd8-f47bf90950b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_JPMorganMember_f51c1057-7715-404b-84f9-2bb27fc5434a" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_JPMorganMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_clw_JPMorganMember_f51c1057-7715-404b-84f9-2bb27fc5434a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCreditMember_61d3a5a9-a18d-48e9-9f4b-667ce10abc28" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_AgWestFarmCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCreditMember_61d3a5a9-a18d-48e9-9f4b-667ce10abc28" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit400MMember_aebb2302-a993-484d-b38f-d4fda9e99af8" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_AgWestFarmCredit400MMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit400MMember_aebb2302-a993-484d-b38f-d4fda9e99af8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_RabobankMember_6fd3d9ae-0ddd-4b0e-9842-efcf71fb99e0" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_RabobankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_clw_RabobankMember_6fd3d9ae-0ddd-4b0e-9842-efcf71fb99e0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit120MMember_f27c6135-2feb-4188-96d2-444663cdf57f" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_AgWestFarmCredit120MMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit120MMember_f27c6135-2feb-4188-96d2-444663cdf57f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d7b03cc0-f705-4192-a807-32a26b589a72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d7b03cc0-f705-4192-a807-32a26b589a72" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember_fdb8cae9-2de7-42a6-887d-72232d2bd08f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8fa9d623-2f3d-434a-a9cd-28b03fbb2767" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember_fdb8cae9-2de7-42a6-887d-72232d2bd08f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_5e529883-f5f6-46dd-8fe8-af9853d45cf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9fa59593-2213-40d3-a8a4-4b9b67e7244f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_5e529883-f5f6-46dd-8fe8-af9853d45cf9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_5e529883-f5f6-46dd-8fe8-af9853d45cf9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_5e529883-f5f6-46dd-8fe8-af9853d45cf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_5e529883-f5f6-46dd-8fe8-af9853d45cf9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_49b36f8b-7c48-43f9-a0c8-75a09473bf21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_5e529883-f5f6-46dd-8fe8-af9853d45cf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_49b36f8b-7c48-43f9-a0c8-75a09473bf21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCreditMember_97d69270-2ccc-4f7f-a279-5d456bf1dfec" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_AgWestFarmCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_49b36f8b-7c48-43f9-a0c8-75a09473bf21" xlink:to="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCreditMember_97d69270-2ccc-4f7f-a279-5d456bf1dfec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_JPMorganMember_0f4a1ac4-0e12-4e0c-9903-0a10c9001073" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_JPMorganMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_49b36f8b-7c48-43f9-a0c8-75a09473bf21" xlink:to="loc_clw_JPMorganMember_0f4a1ac4-0e12-4e0c-9903-0a10c9001073" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_RabobankMember_21b3ade8-5d75-4a43-ad5a-70871f0ed2ec" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_RabobankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_49b36f8b-7c48-43f9-a0c8-75a09473bf21" xlink:to="loc_clw_RabobankMember_21b3ade8-5d75-4a43-ad5a-70871f0ed2ec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit400MMember_ffb8501c-160f-44f2-84fb-4d9fbe9f159a" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_AgWestFarmCredit400MMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_49b36f8b-7c48-43f9-a0c8-75a09473bf21" xlink:to="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit400MMember_ffb8501c-160f-44f2-84fb-4d9fbe9f159a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit120MMember_ba12a90c-6b92-432f-8b22-be105e3ad149" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_AgWestFarmCredit120MMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_49b36f8b-7c48-43f9-a0c8-75a09473bf21" xlink:to="loc_clw_AgWestFarmCredit120MMember_ba12a90c-6b92-432f-8b22-be105e3ad149" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4e48c16c-cabb-4bff-a219-5921554b78e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9fa59593-2213-40d3-a8a4-4b9b67e7244f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4e48c16c-cabb-4bff-a219-5921554b78e2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_4e48c16c-cabb-4bff-a219-5921554b78e2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4e48c16c-cabb-4bff-a219-5921554b78e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_4e48c16c-cabb-4bff-a219-5921554b78e2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_5bb46507-f2ff-4338-8306-fb54e81558d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4e48c16c-cabb-4bff-a219-5921554b78e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_5bb46507-f2ff-4338-8306-fb54e81558d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_af77bbef-0865-4fcc-8187-225d8777d3a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_af77bbef-0865-4fcc-8187-225d8777d3a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate_3859c998-6734-4f0a-97f0-6269be9e67b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate_3859c998-6734-4f0a-97f0-6269be9e67b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_99409815-6aa8-48da-881e-1886b0b09c9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_99409815-6aa8-48da-881e-1886b0b09c9b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_d39e8a63-8318-4f0c-a52f-3805760ec0fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_d39e8a63-8318-4f0c-a52f-3805760ec0fb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums_7046a08b-fc27-4435-b96c-2cd0c02eecd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums_7046a08b-fc27-4435-b96c-2cd0c02eecd4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_d86f2f2a-7f0d-498e-a46b-6621afc39fc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_d86f2f2a-7f0d-498e-a46b-6621afc39fc8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_013ef6f0-89e1-4a6c-bd7c-a1c3fcd3a883" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_013ef6f0-89e1-4a6c-bd7c-a1c3fcd3a883" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_ed435615-616a-4933-af19-989050cd52e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_ed435615-616a-4933-af19-989050cd52e2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability_3c68a682-525f-4fab-a0a9-9950bdb4b7d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability_3c68a682-525f-4fab-a0a9-9950bdb4b7d6" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_4c979946-a741-4312-8046-2d02b4a050f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_4c979946-a741-4312-8046-2d02b4a050f1" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_0c931f25-9c49-490b-a6cd-4e0b09be9627" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_0c931f25-9c49-490b-a6cd-4e0b09be9627" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt_e63bce13-1e74-457d-92f2-a914f4d71fc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt_e63bce13-1e74-457d-92f2-a914f4d71fc2" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6fce17d8-9c2d-4550-aff3-a92d30a90dde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_ce6cf9be-0fe4-411e-a867-8ae3c4f54db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6fce17d8-9c2d-4550-aff3-a92d30a90dde" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_34530353-f46f-4ee4-8131-3073f5a60493" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_d1e3a0e6-6950-4078-9678-b04c5dca7d74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_34530353-f46f-4ee4-8131-3073f5a60493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_d1e3a0e6-6950-4078-9678-b04c5dca7d74" xlink:type="arc" order="2" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_d06e4291-cfe7-4575-9668-f6ae368c2c57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_d1e3a0e6-6950-4078-9678-b04c5dca7d74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_d06e4291-cfe7-4575-9668-f6ae368c2c57" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d06e4291-cfe7-4575-9668-f6ae368c2c57_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_29b00ca5-e28c-4298-8592-7daeac0d44b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_980452b6-1c88-4cbf-8375-1646a6a44d01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_34530353-f46f-4ee4-8131-3073f5a60493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_980452b6-1c88-4cbf-8375-1646a6a44d01" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities_ea16de8d-4e32-40e5-932c-5c52aa094e63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_34530353-f46f-4ee4-8131-3073f5a60493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities_ea16de8d-4e32-40e5-932c-5c52aa094e63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_e467f3c2-8097-41db-9b38-0a3e2493a779" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_34530353-f46f-4ee4-8131-3073f5a60493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_e467f3c2-8097-41db-9b38-0a3e2493a779" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsCurrentNet_66a53994-a848-43df-9468-45eb42d2939b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsCurrentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_34530353-f46f-4ee4-8131-3073f5a60493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsCurrentNet_66a53994-a848-43df-9468-45eb42d2939b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/OtherOperatingChargesnetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#OtherOperatingChargesnetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/OtherOperatingChargesnetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d33644c5-038d-4631-93a1-d7e4b83aa1fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d33644c5-038d-4631-93a1-d7e4b83aa1fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_f4e902cf-40a8-4abc-858c-f99b025e43ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d33644c5-038d-4631-93a1-d7e4b83aa1fa" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_f4e902cf-40a8-4abc-858c-f99b025e43ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_f4e902cf-40a8-4abc-858c-f99b025e43ad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_f4e902cf-40a8-4abc-858c-f99b025e43ad" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_f4e902cf-40a8-4abc-858c-f99b025e43ad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_d17604bb-0d4f-4875-9a9e-411c74fb5c49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_f4e902cf-40a8-4abc-858c-f99b025e43ad" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_d17604bb-0d4f-4875-9a9e-411c74fb5c49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_DirectorMember_a42adac0-185a-461a-8219-1d6c4880e6e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_DirectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_d17604bb-0d4f-4875-9a9e-411c74fb5c49" xlink:to="loc_srt_DirectorMember_a42adac0-185a-461a-8219-1d6c4880e6e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_f6962307-d853-4ec2-8add-7c7146fa420d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d33644c5-038d-4631-93a1-d7e4b83aa1fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_f6962307-d853-4ec2-8add-7c7146fa420d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f6962307-d853-4ec2-8add-7c7146fa420d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_f6962307-d853-4ec2-8add-7c7146fa420d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f6962307-d853-4ec2-8add-7c7146fa420d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_79da2fb4-1faa-4e91-85cf-c4844143e96e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_f6962307-d853-4ec2-8add-7c7146fa420d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_79da2fb4-1faa-4e91-85cf-c4844143e96e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember_e69911e4-fd7c-49d6-a19b-9277808c76e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_79da2fb4-1faa-4e91-85cf-c4844143e96e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember_e69911e4-fd7c-49d6-a19b-9277808c76e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeMember_7a1d1b14-bc84-462e-89e9-da0026a60c7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_79da2fb4-1faa-4e91-85cf-c4844143e96e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeMember_7a1d1b14-bc84-462e-89e9-da0026a60c7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis_4c0fbe96-8d70-4954-af5e-ee5e6b094281" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_d33644c5-038d-4631-93a1-d7e4b83aa1fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis_4c0fbe96-8d70-4954-af5e-ee5e6b094281" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterimPeriodCostsNotAllocableDomain_4c0fbe96-8d70-4954-af5e-ee5e6b094281_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterimPeriodCostsNotAllocableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis_4c0fbe96-8d70-4954-af5e-ee5e6b094281" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterimPeriodCostsNotAllocableDomain_4c0fbe96-8d70-4954-af5e-ee5e6b094281_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterimPeriodCostsNotAllocableDomain_4cce49b4-817e-4e20-838e-9a8fad4588ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterimPeriodCostsNotAllocableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis_4c0fbe96-8d70-4954-af5e-ee5e6b094281" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterimPeriodCostsNotAllocableDomain_4cce49b4-817e-4e20-838e-9a8fad4588ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_63b2247a-7176-416a-a636-d67660ced770" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_63b2247a-7176-416a-a636-d67660ced770" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_49ba0115-9d0d-43d4-be4b-d89135682aa7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_49ba0115-9d0d-43d4-be4b-d89135682aa7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncome_47d95c4e-d55f-44c0-b7a5-a3c53b02144b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncome_47d95c4e-d55f-44c0-b7a5-a3c53b02144b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_a80c3f71-eceb-45f9-a305-8a2f3467b904" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_a80c3f71-eceb-45f9-a305-8a2f3467b904" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_BusinessCombinationAndDivestitureCosts_dea1a3e3-13c4-4acd-89c6-26888154915b" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_BusinessCombinationAndDivestitureCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:to="loc_clw_BusinessCombinationAndDivestitureCosts_dea1a3e3-13c4-4acd-89c6-26888154915b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts_d27f34d5-06e6-42bf-9b2e-2ba1bdcd69b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8e4501c-853a-47e4-a626-5bf5df3a47d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts_d27f34d5-06e6-42bf-9b2e-2ba1bdcd69b6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefitsNarrativeDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefitsNarrativeDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansandPostretirementBenefitsNarrativeDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_aa75f6be-581a-47bd-bb46-c29ba84817a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_aa75f6be-581a-47bd-bb46-c29ba84817a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68d53390-10d4-4895-9ec3-22c94d26a0a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_aa75f6be-581a-47bd-bb46-c29ba84817a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68d53390-10d4-4895-9ec3-22c94d26a0a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_68d53390-10d4-4895-9ec3-22c94d26a0a9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68d53390-10d4-4895-9ec3-22c94d26a0a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_68d53390-10d4-4895-9ec3-22c94d26a0a9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f98cc832-314e-4e6c-aeb8-5c275276924e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68d53390-10d4-4895-9ec3-22c94d26a0a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f98cc832-314e-4e6c-aeb8-5c275276924e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_f2289cc4-999a-48d8-a870-30ceb482eaa0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f98cc832-314e-4e6c-aeb8-5c275276924e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_f2289cc4-999a-48d8-a870-30ceb482eaa0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_43c7900f-e9c4-4b25-b5e4-e4d1f56dd92e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f98cc832-314e-4e6c-aeb8-5c275276924e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_43c7900f-e9c4-4b25-b5e4-e4d1f56dd92e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_8a55b4aa-b555-41cf-89ef-b276f4b3f13d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_aa75f6be-581a-47bd-bb46-c29ba84817a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_8a55b4aa-b555-41cf-89ef-b276f4b3f13d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_8a55b4aa-b555-41cf-89ef-b276f4b3f13d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_8a55b4aa-b555-41cf-89ef-b276f4b3f13d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_8a55b4aa-b555-41cf-89ef-b276f4b3f13d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3afbbd3c-60ca-4d1c-bb6f-6cc11584e65e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_8a55b4aa-b555-41cf-89ef-b276f4b3f13d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3afbbd3c-60ca-4d1c-bb6f-6cc11584e65e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_8e8a8702-bb26-4ca4-a2be-4989fb61aec1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3afbbd3c-60ca-4d1c-bb6f-6cc11584e65e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_8e8a8702-bb26-4ca4-a2be-4989fb61aec1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_2c654897-74d0-44b4-aa0f-aa461fdd0126" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3afbbd3c-60ca-4d1c-bb6f-6cc11584e65e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_2c654897-74d0-44b4-aa0f-aa461fdd0126" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_d0333059-9798-4585-b690-fb21f223f6f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_d0333059-9798-4585-b690-fb21f223f6f3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_83b242ae-c69c-49e4-9265-6495b3c4fc22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_83b242ae-c69c-49e4-9265-6495b3c4fc22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_ea4b5f81-e480-4741-990f-718fab1f27e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_ea4b5f81-e480-4741-990f-718fab1f27e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_d73780c3-5685-42f2-afb1-db3b1dc697a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_d73780c3-5685-42f2-afb1-db3b1dc697a3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_27f9c9de-99b0-4a6d-ad06-77d595d64293" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_27f9c9de-99b0-4a6d-ad06-77d595d64293" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax_548f9a7c-66f6-413d-b523-cfe9c9e1cc93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_6fa092db-d56b-4f2a-9317-76b85746925e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax_548f9a7c-66f6-413d-b523-cfe9c9e1cc93" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_eab8e7e5-05b4-4b52-95f5-6eac734e932a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_e5d5dfc2-c097-492b-803f-a53d7cb870a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_eab8e7e5-05b4-4b52-95f5-6eac734e932a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_e5d5dfc2-c097-492b-803f-a53d7cb870a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9bdb2def-7d05-4000-9a63-5d7b0829e4c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_e5d5dfc2-c097-492b-803f-a53d7cb870a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9bdb2def-7d05-4000-9a63-5d7b0829e4c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_9bdb2def-7d05-4000-9a63-5d7b0829e4c0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9bdb2def-7d05-4000-9a63-5d7b0829e4c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_9bdb2def-7d05-4000-9a63-5d7b0829e4c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_16fad5c7-5e23-4377-a2cf-78b068c4da92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9bdb2def-7d05-4000-9a63-5d7b0829e4c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_16fad5c7-5e23-4377-a2cf-78b068c4da92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_c8213bc2-2c74-4d46-b91b-d8c4770a95d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_16fad5c7-5e23-4377-a2cf-78b068c4da92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_c8213bc2-2c74-4d46-b91b-d8c4770a95d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_6275d0e0-625d-476e-b8e1-d633472cfe9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_16fad5c7-5e23-4377-a2cf-78b068c4da92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_6275d0e0-625d-476e-b8e1-d633472cfe9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_344a3716-c8f8-4cb5-a795-855701fefec5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_e5d5dfc2-c097-492b-803f-a53d7cb870a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_344a3716-c8f8-4cb5-a795-855701fefec5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_344a3716-c8f8-4cb5-a795-855701fefec5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_344a3716-c8f8-4cb5-a795-855701fefec5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_344a3716-c8f8-4cb5-a795-855701fefec5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f84cad76-24e5-4c29-adea-6c9419864ae8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_344a3716-c8f8-4cb5-a795-855701fefec5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f84cad76-24e5-4c29-adea-6c9419864ae8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_92ce610a-5544-4e21-b3cf-8d2e319ca647" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f84cad76-24e5-4c29-adea-6c9419864ae8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_92ce610a-5544-4e21-b3cf-8d2e319ca647" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_83790b8d-2511-45eb-b44e-9fe678a7f880" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_eab8e7e5-05b4-4b52-95f5-6eac734e932a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_83790b8d-2511-45eb-b44e-9fe678a7f880" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_70fad082-8ad4-4a4f-84c0-5b599ffbb7b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_eab8e7e5-05b4-4b52-95f5-6eac734e932a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_70fad082-8ad4-4a4f-84c0-5b599ffbb7b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d62cbdac-fec8-4937-8ab0-996d7612b7e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d62cbdac-fec8-4937-8ab0-996d7612b7e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_14d93083-7cea-48de-b822-ae74365d4580" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d62cbdac-fec8-4937-8ab0-996d7612b7e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_14d93083-7cea-48de-b822-ae74365d4580" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_14d93083-7cea-48de-b822-ae74365d4580_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_14d93083-7cea-48de-b822-ae74365d4580" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_14d93083-7cea-48de-b822-ae74365d4580_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4b5ac5d7-b495-42d9-8048-141022eeb48c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_14d93083-7cea-48de-b822-ae74365d4580" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4b5ac5d7-b495-42d9-8048-141022eeb48c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_c5fecb8b-9512-44e7-a794-85c246ebd861" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4b5ac5d7-b495-42d9-8048-141022eeb48c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_c5fecb8b-9512-44e7-a794-85c246ebd861" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_9f0469a8-4414-47fc-ac92-405268c2f822" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4b5ac5d7-b495-42d9-8048-141022eeb48c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_9f0469a8-4414-47fc-ac92-405268c2f822" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ed79a0c2-0c29-4078-857a-e180c0c47241" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d62cbdac-fec8-4937-8ab0-996d7612b7e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ed79a0c2-0c29-4078-857a-e180c0c47241" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_ed79a0c2-0c29-4078-857a-e180c0c47241_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ed79a0c2-0c29-4078-857a-e180c0c47241" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_ed79a0c2-0c29-4078-857a-e180c0c47241_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_cc40e07b-4adf-44a2-90a5-e41ae95a3474" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ed79a0c2-0c29-4078-857a-e180c0c47241" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_cc40e07b-4adf-44a2-90a5-e41ae95a3474" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_a6238c74-9153-41a0-8cbb-68d463e4ec7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_cc40e07b-4adf-44a2-90a5-e41ae95a3474" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_a6238c74-9153-41a0-8cbb-68d463e4ec7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_de8d6e0d-3a8b-42ed-a34b-da4b724fb185" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d62cbdac-fec8-4937-8ab0-996d7612b7e5" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_de8d6e0d-3a8b-42ed-a34b-da4b724fb185" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_de8d6e0d-3a8b-42ed-a34b-da4b724fb185_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_de8d6e0d-3a8b-42ed-a34b-da4b724fb185" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_de8d6e0d-3a8b-42ed-a34b-da4b724fb185_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_cd6940ab-da0f-492c-90f9-069cd46d2129" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_de8d6e0d-3a8b-42ed-a34b-da4b724fb185" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_cd6940ab-da0f-492c-90f9-069cd46d2129" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_0cb51148-87f6-41fc-b5c6-27daa4cbc6db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_cd6940ab-da0f-492c-90f9-069cd46d2129" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_0cb51148-87f6-41fc-b5c6-27daa4cbc6db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3471daa2-46d4-4acd-8bdd-c84d16c22f1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d62cbdac-fec8-4937-8ab0-996d7612b7e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3471daa2-46d4-4acd-8bdd-c84d16c22f1c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3471daa2-46d4-4acd-8bdd-c84d16c22f1c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3471daa2-46d4-4acd-8bdd-c84d16c22f1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3471daa2-46d4-4acd-8bdd-c84d16c22f1c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_56086069-ad3a-40d5-baa1-168e1961f0f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3471daa2-46d4-4acd-8bdd-c84d16c22f1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_56086069-ad3a-40d5-baa1-168e1961f0f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_9e3f5d5d-4940-4600-a101-d6129206b12c" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_56086069-ad3a-40d5-baa1-168e1961f0f5" xlink:to="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_9e3f5d5d-4940-4600-a101-d6129206b12c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3cac87ce-f402-454e-80ee-bf485776c1d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d62cbdac-fec8-4937-8ab0-996d7612b7e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3cac87ce-f402-454e-80ee-bf485776c1d5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3cac87ce-f402-454e-80ee-bf485776c1d5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3cac87ce-f402-454e-80ee-bf485776c1d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3cac87ce-f402-454e-80ee-bf485776c1d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2ce191a-54d0-4937-b608-49f4f69a126d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_3cac87ce-f402-454e-80ee-bf485776c1d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2ce191a-54d0-4937-b608-49f4f69a126d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_39ea3c06-f067-42e2-9595-59f288545959" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2ce191a-54d0-4937-b608-49f4f69a126d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_39ea3c06-f067-42e2-9595-59f288545959" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_0b173501-e49b-49b2-93a7-fbd3c2ffd8b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_0b173501-e49b-49b2-93a7-fbd3c2ffd8b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_904387fb-5017-4a93-9b83-6a9c2eda17d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_904387fb-5017-4a93-9b83-6a9c2eda17d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_b06ee7b1-31f7-4d9f-923e-2eaf776985a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_b06ee7b1-31f7-4d9f-923e-2eaf776985a3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_27dc2ff8-8613-4869-9b90-3ae8d7414da4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_27dc2ff8-8613-4869-9b90-3ae8d7414da4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_add6a9de-1000-4810-9b48-36382e1dff00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_add6a9de-1000-4810-9b48-36382e1dff00" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d97c550f-820d-4e4a-b5d7-29e147eca72d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d97c550f-820d-4e4a-b5d7-29e147eca72d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_9b39c7df-9d51-4e04-b101-f373b35b9eee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_9b39c7df-9d51-4e04-b101-f373b35b9eee" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_078c3025-a033-4a33-b6fc-df990709366a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_078c3025-a033-4a33-b6fc-df990709366a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised_01593f7b-9307-4fc9-ba4e-81854fa7f56c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised_01593f7b-9307-4fc9-ba4e-81854fa7f56c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax_1b191038-9dbe-48eb-932c-25de02f80c4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_9445ffdf-1829-459c-845f-36daf232a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax_1b191038-9dbe-48eb-932c-25de02f80c4b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/EarningsperCommonShareReconciliationofNumberofCommonSharesUsedinCalculatingBasicandDilutedNetEarningsPerShareDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#EarningsperCommonShareReconciliationofNumberofCommonSharesUsedinCalculatingBasicandDilutedNetEarningsPerShareDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/EarningsperCommonShareReconciliationofNumberofCommonSharesUsedinCalculatingBasicandDilutedNetEarningsPerShareDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a0266e09-ac84-492c-a846-9a96b4ffe60b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_5895199e-d550-463e-95e3-5a7b4174ddb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a0266e09-ac84-492c-a846-9a96b4ffe60b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_5895199e-d550-463e-95e3-5a7b4174ddb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7c17e4a6-a8e0-4c1b-a7f9-e3c327fe6d37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_5895199e-d550-463e-95e3-5a7b4174ddb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7c17e4a6-a8e0-4c1b-a7f9-e3c327fe6d37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7c17e4a6-a8e0-4c1b-a7f9-e3c327fe6d37_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7c17e4a6-a8e0-4c1b-a7f9-e3c327fe6d37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7c17e4a6-a8e0-4c1b-a7f9-e3c327fe6d37_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b99fef8d-bb00-47d4-8b77-71e6d8a3da5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7c17e4a6-a8e0-4c1b-a7f9-e3c327fe6d37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b99fef8d-bb00-47d4-8b77-71e6d8a3da5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_bb6d1935-cbd7-4abf-9c1f-f416812665a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b99fef8d-bb00-47d4-8b77-71e6d8a3da5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_bb6d1935-cbd7-4abf-9c1f-f416812665a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_11620d29-1307-4505-acf9-8423bbcf0ffc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b99fef8d-bb00-47d4-8b77-71e6d8a3da5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_11620d29-1307-4505-acf9-8423bbcf0ffc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_67aefb3e-39d6-4d69-969f-7efa59554b19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a0266e09-ac84-492c-a846-9a96b4ffe60b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_67aefb3e-39d6-4d69-969f-7efa59554b19" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_a0eabeb8-4eeb-4bab-80eb-32ed7f5f2f30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a0266e09-ac84-492c-a846-9a96b4ffe60b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_a0eabeb8-4eeb-4bab-80eb-32ed7f5f2f30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_3ea8f636-e957-4901-821f-c57c683ab841" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a0266e09-ac84-492c-a846-9a96b4ffe60b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_3ea8f636-e957-4901-821f-c57c683ab841" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_7b1276ed-3e6d-49dd-b135-c1652d3f33c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a0266e09-ac84-492c-a846-9a96b4ffe60b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_7b1276ed-3e6d-49dd-b135-c1652d3f33c0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SegmentInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#SegmentInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SegmentInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9f139025-31e6-45e9-81e4-275f028583e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1955efb0-9e19-4847-b1df-3fff34273f43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9f139025-31e6-45e9-81e4-275f028583e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1955efb0-9e19-4847-b1df-3fff34273f43" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d7c4011c-bef7-4860-9080-26d09ecb4571" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1955efb0-9e19-4847-b1df-3fff34273f43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d7c4011c-bef7-4860-9080-26d09ecb4571" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d7c4011c-bef7-4860-9080-26d09ecb4571_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d7c4011c-bef7-4860-9080-26d09ecb4571" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d7c4011c-bef7-4860-9080-26d09ecb4571_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cc9ade7b-6f4b-4759-93e0-07e1ad6d526f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d7c4011c-bef7-4860-9080-26d09ecb4571" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cc9ade7b-6f4b-4759-93e0-07e1ad6d526f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_fc689c02-ea8e-4878-80c9-bee1a260f17a" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cc9ade7b-6f4b-4759-93e0-07e1ad6d526f" xlink:to="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_fc689c02-ea8e-4878-80c9-bee1a260f17a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_ConsumerProductsMember_6a558513-7ab6-45f9-9480-d141d5b4ad54" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_ConsumerProductsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cc9ade7b-6f4b-4759-93e0-07e1ad6d526f" xlink:to="loc_clw_ConsumerProductsMember_6a558513-7ab6-45f9-9480-d141d5b4ad54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_CorporateSegmentMember_7cde889e-eabf-47df-83a1-ab18a5e93872" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_CorporateSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cc9ade7b-6f4b-4759-93e0-07e1ad6d526f" xlink:to="loc_clw_CorporateSegmentMember_7cde889e-eabf-47df-83a1-ab18a5e93872" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f78acc27-c7a9-4253-8330-faab313411fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1955efb0-9e19-4847-b1df-3fff34273f43" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f78acc27-c7a9-4253-8330-faab313411fd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f78acc27-c7a9-4253-8330-faab313411fd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f78acc27-c7a9-4253-8330-faab313411fd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f78acc27-c7a9-4253-8330-faab313411fd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_69d2da22-7d28-4008-b2ce-99dfdb8fe046" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f78acc27-c7a9-4253-8330-faab313411fd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_69d2da22-7d28-4008-b2ce-99dfdb8fe046" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_PaperboardDomain_2dc15133-f85e-447b-90ff-fae32859b030" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_PaperboardDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_69d2da22-7d28-4008-b2ce-99dfdb8fe046" xlink:to="loc_clw_PaperboardDomain_2dc15133-f85e-447b-90ff-fae32859b030" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_RetailtissueDomain_e4f5489a-84fb-49cb-801f-9e6473f0ca96" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_RetailtissueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_69d2da22-7d28-4008-b2ce-99dfdb8fe046" xlink:to="loc_clw_RetailtissueDomain_e4f5489a-84fb-49cb-801f-9e6473f0ca96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_PulpDomain_4d2293d6-e58f-4420-9376-11077f257dcf" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_PulpDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_69d2da22-7d28-4008-b2ce-99dfdb8fe046" xlink:to="loc_clw_PulpDomain_4d2293d6-e58f-4420-9376-11077f257dcf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_OtherDomain_01251d52-e509-49dc-bb89-3397b35ad75a" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_OtherDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_69d2da22-7d28-4008-b2ce-99dfdb8fe046" xlink:to="loc_clw_OtherDomain_01251d52-e509-49dc-bb89-3397b35ad75a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2d80b965-feb7-48dd-af70-de56df1a499e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1955efb0-9e19-4847-b1df-3fff34273f43" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2d80b965-feb7-48dd-af70-de56df1a499e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2d80b965-feb7-48dd-af70-de56df1a499e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2d80b965-feb7-48dd-af70-de56df1a499e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2d80b965-feb7-48dd-af70-de56df1a499e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3123043c-1121-4fb5-b492-b0ddaee631d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2d80b965-feb7-48dd-af70-de56df1a499e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3123043c-1121-4fb5-b492-b0ddaee631d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_d81963dd-d06c-41d1-b41a-6240a5b67037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3123043c-1121-4fb5-b492-b0ddaee631d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_d81963dd-d06c-41d1-b41a-6240a5b67037" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_8ebfa9ea-bfe3-48ac-9dcc-55fb3fdbc0e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3123043c-1121-4fb5-b492-b0ddaee631d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_8ebfa9ea-bfe3-48ac-9dcc-55fb3fdbc0e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_7a5aa8cd-a07c-4550-bd55-3ecebb02050b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3123043c-1121-4fb5-b492-b0ddaee631d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_7a5aa8cd-a07c-4550-bd55-3ecebb02050b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_b8f452ed-91b1-4d37-a0d7-ae25eb0d2e7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9f139025-31e6-45e9-81e4-275f028583e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_b8f452ed-91b1-4d37-a0d7-ae25eb0d2e7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_4111aea7-5490-42dc-86a3-83e4ffcb004d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9f139025-31e6-45e9-81e4-275f028583e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_4111aea7-5490-42dc-86a3-83e4ffcb004d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_bf83371f-c909-4fc8-b594-4539bae5491a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9f139025-31e6-45e9-81e4-275f028583e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_bf83371f-c909-4fc8-b594-4539bae5491a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_eb8b67a6-23fc-4b81-b882-9ec80977ec97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9f139025-31e6-45e9-81e4-275f028583e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_eb8b67a6-23fc-4b81-b882-9ec80977ec97" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/UnusualorInfrequentlyOccurringItemsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#UnusualorInfrequentlyOccurringItemsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/UnusualorInfrequentlyOccurringItemsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemLineItems_975628ae-6273-4b43-805e-7d9e1a691b2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemTable_0240c64e-41b2-4300-9c06-879ef457f3cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemLineItems_975628ae-6273-4b43-805e-7d9e1a691b2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemTable_0240c64e-41b2-4300-9c06-879ef457f3cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_53e061d1-3af8-4601-9a43-43b6d9e451ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemTable_0240c64e-41b2-4300-9c06-879ef457f3cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_53e061d1-3af8-4601-9a43-43b6d9e451ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_53e061d1-3af8-4601-9a43-43b6d9e451ef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_53e061d1-3af8-4601-9a43-43b6d9e451ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_53e061d1-3af8-4601-9a43-43b6d9e451ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_dae5ea83-93de-49ab-b414-2d2c9c519c1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_53e061d1-3af8-4601-9a43-43b6d9e451ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_dae5ea83-93de-49ab-b414-2d2c9c519c1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementMember_c51f5b05-bf5c-4ee6-b058-9fed3c2cc45a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_dae5ea83-93de-49ab-b414-2d2c9c519c1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementMember_c51f5b05-bf5c-4ee6-b058-9fed3c2cc45a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceClaimsMember_897f189e-d4bb-47e9-b248-f4635f67367c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceClaimsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_dae5ea83-93de-49ab-b414-2d2c9c519c1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceClaimsMember_897f189e-d4bb-47e9-b248-f4635f67367c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_491444de-8a1b-468e-a77c-8fabe8f98545" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_dae5ea83-93de-49ab-b414-2d2c9c519c1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_491444de-8a1b-468e-a77c-8fabe8f98545" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9b210498-6e5a-493a-83d9-e0b36aefc195" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemTable_0240c64e-41b2-4300-9c06-879ef457f3cd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9b210498-6e5a-493a-83d9-e0b36aefc195" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9b210498-6e5a-493a-83d9-e0b36aefc195_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9b210498-6e5a-493a-83d9-e0b36aefc195" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9b210498-6e5a-493a-83d9-e0b36aefc195_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72ec00d8-dae1-4375-b221-bac804bd18f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9b210498-6e5a-493a-83d9-e0b36aefc195" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72ec00d8-dae1-4375-b221-bac804bd18f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_bb042e11-127a-46c7-82c3-dcde893e9dc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72ec00d8-dae1-4375-b221-bac804bd18f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_bb042e11-127a-46c7-82c3-dcde893e9dc3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0874a9ad-4adc-4279-b05c-1bd59dd0f64e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemTable_0240c64e-41b2-4300-9c06-879ef457f3cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0874a9ad-4adc-4279-b05c-1bd59dd0f64e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0874a9ad-4adc-4279-b05c-1bd59dd0f64e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0874a9ad-4adc-4279-b05c-1bd59dd0f64e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0874a9ad-4adc-4279-b05c-1bd59dd0f64e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_34b1cca2-3552-4d01-b322-96043bdd973e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0874a9ad-4adc-4279-b05c-1bd59dd0f64e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_34b1cca2-3552-4d01-b322-96043bdd973e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_ConsumerProductsMember_364efff8-8417-4fd7-a201-11d076bbfa61" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_ConsumerProductsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_34b1cca2-3552-4d01-b322-96043bdd973e" xlink:to="loc_clw_ConsumerProductsMember_364efff8-8417-4fd7-a201-11d076bbfa61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_caff98fe-d095-4766-8953-b5e7f4a10d44" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_34b1cca2-3552-4d01-b322-96043bdd973e" xlink:to="loc_clw_PulpAndPaperboardMember_caff98fe-d095-4766-8953-b5e7f4a10d44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemInsuranceProceeds_15a1e302-c1a0-468d-8921-c1d949715aa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemInsuranceProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemLineItems_975628ae-6273-4b43-805e-7d9e1a691b2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemInsuranceProceeds_15a1e302-c1a0-468d-8921-c1d949715aa4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries_17624170-7063-4db5-b456-4d140e5f90c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemLineItems_975628ae-6273-4b43-805e-7d9e1a691b2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries_17624170-7063-4db5-b456-4d140e5f90c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="clw-20240630.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.clearwaterpaper.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_45368286-8f10-4ed8-8bc9-72795b97216b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5e732421-879f-438e-bc94-9bf745aad2e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_45368286-8f10-4ed8-8bc9-72795b97216b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5e732421-879f-438e-bc94-9bf745aad2e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_cf54cb68-7e5b-41ec-81cc-139e45930842" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5e732421-879f-438e-bc94-9bf745aad2e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_cf54cb68-7e5b-41ec-81cc-139e45930842" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_cf54cb68-7e5b-41ec-81cc-139e45930842_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_cf54cb68-7e5b-41ec-81cc-139e45930842" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_cf54cb68-7e5b-41ec-81cc-139e45930842_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_634db65c-7988-45ba-bcd0-a21af2d0c0e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_cf54cb68-7e5b-41ec-81cc-139e45930842" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_634db65c-7988-45ba-bcd0-a21af2d0c0e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_4618887b-20db-4b7d-a4d4-b046a40adfb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_634db65c-7988-45ba-bcd0-a21af2d0c0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_4618887b-20db-4b7d-a4d4-b046a40adfb2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_0000fc71-cd79-471a-b3a2-49c3b27b5367" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_45368286-8f10-4ed8-8bc9-72795b97216b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_0000fc71-cd79-471a-b3a2-49c3b27b5367" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_8300e64b-b7be-437b-80f1-92359e09ec94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_45368286-8f10-4ed8-8bc9-72795b97216b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_8300e64b-b7be-437b-80f1-92359e09ec94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/AwardTypeOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2024/ecd-2024.xsd#AwardTypeOnly"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/AwardTypeOnly" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
